Early flowers

Here are two of the early flowers in bloom near the canal.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a member of the Asteraceae family (daisies). It's a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by seeds and rhizomes.As it normally flowers before the dandelion, it's an important early flower for bees. It's also a favourite foodplant of the larva of the Triangle Plume Moth (Platyptilia gonodactyla), yet to be recorded in the area but possibly present.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a member of the Primulaceae family. It is a perennial. The flowers are hermaphrodite. Individual plants bear either pin flowers (longuistylus flower with the capita of the style prominent) or thrum flowers (brevistylous flower: with the stamens prominent). Fertilisation can only take place between pin and thrum flowers.Pollination is mainly by bees.